Project brief
A complete Air Data Computer (ADC) using temperature-compensated precision MEMS absolute and differential pressure sensors, providing the aircraft with accurate barometric altitude, indicated airspeed, calibrated airspeed, true airspeed, Mach number, vertical speed, and angle of attack. The system is RVSM-compliant for operation to FL600 and outputs dual ARINC 429 buses plus RS-422 for legacy system compatibility.
The case study connects metrology, atmosphere-based calculations, and interface design. The explanatory pipeline does not add qualification evidence.
The engineering challenge
Convert pressure and temperature observations into consistent air-data parameters and legacy-compatible outputs.
Engineering approach
- Apply sensor compensation and static-source correction to pressure measurements.
- Compute the stated altitude, speed, Mach, and vertical-rate quantities.
- Format results for the dual avionics bus and serial interface.
Features & capabilities
- ±0.05 hPa absolute pressure accuracy after temperature compensation
- Baro-corrected altitude: ±20ft at FL350 (RVSM qualified)
- IAS/CAS/TAS/Mach computation with compressibility correction
- Dual ARINC 429 outputs + RS-422 for legacy system integration
- Angle of Attack computation from paired differential pressure probes
- Operational: -55°C to +70°C static port and pitot probe heater control
- TSO-C106 design compliance framework and documentation
- Static source error correction (SSEC) programmable lookup tables
Software & engineering tools
Keller Series 4LD MEMS transducer, STM32H753, Altium Designer (6-layer), ARINC 429 (HI-3585), DO-160G environmental qualification